First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba
Logo of the Communist Party of Cuba
Incumbent Miguel Díaz-Canel since 19 April 2021
Central Committee
Style	Comrade (formal)
Member of	Central Committee, Politburo, Secretariat
Seat	Palace of the Revolution Havana, Cuba
Appointer	Central Committee
Term length	Five years, renewable once
Constituting instrument	Statute of the Communist Party of Cuba
Formation	18 August 1925; 100 years ago (1925-08-18)
First holder	José Miguel Pérez
Deputy	Second Secretary

The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba is the most important leader in Cuba. This person holds the highest position within the Communist Party of Cuba. This makes them the most powerful individual in Cuba's government and political system. In countries led by a communist party, the first or general secretary is usually the real leader. This role is often more powerful than being the President (head of state) or Prime Minister (head of government).

The First Secretary leads the work of the Central Committee. This committee is called "the organized leader of the Cuban nation." It is also seen as "the main driving force of society and the State." Cuba's constitution states this in Article 5. The Central Committee is the Party's top decision-making body between big meetings. It has the power to choose and remove the First Secretary. The First Secretary also guides the Secretariat, which is the Party's top executive group. They also lead meetings of the Politburo, the Party's highest political group. The current First Secretary is Miguel Díaz-Canel. He was chosen on April 19, 2021. He is also the President of Cuba at the same time.

The first group that led to today's Communist Party of Cuba was formed on August 18, 1925. They chose José Miguel Pérez as their leader. He was born in Spain. However, the Cuban government at the time, led by Gerardo Machado, took strong actions against the party. Pérez was forced to leave the country just thirteen days later, on August 31. This caused problems for the new party. José Peña Vilaboa then took over Pérez's role. He stayed in charge until his death on March 13, 1927. Because of his health issues, Miguel Valdés García acted as general secretary for most of Peña Vilaboa's time. Valdés García continued in this role until April 1927. Then, Joaquín Valdés Hernández was elected general secretary.

The government's actions and poor organization stopped the party's work for a while. In 1930, the Communist International (Comintern) appointed Jorge Abilio Vivó d’Escoto as the party's general secretary. In August 1933, a big strike happened in Havana. People wanted Machado to be removed from power. Vivó was said to have misjudged the situation. He was forced to step down by the Comintern. This happened at the 2nd Congress, held from April 20 to 22, 1934.

Blas Roca Calderio was elected to replace Vivó. He remained in office until June 24, 1961. On that date, the party joined with the 26th of July Movement and the Revolutionary Directorate of 13 March Movement. They formed a new group called the Integrated Revolutionary Organizations (IRO). This new group elected Fidel Castro as its first secretary. The IRO then changed its name to the United Party for the Socialist Revolution of Cuba (PURSC) on March 26, 1962. Three years later, on October 3, 1965, the PURSC held its 1st Congress. This meeting officially created the Communist Party of Cuba. The 1st Central Committee, chosen by the 1st Congress, met for the first time on October 3, 1965. They elected Fidel Castro as First Secretary. He held this position for 49 years. On April 19, 2011, his brother Raúl Castro was elected to take his place. Raúl served for two terms. He was then succeeded by Miguel Díaz-Canel on April 19, 2021.

Leaders of the Communist Party of Cuba

This section lists the people who have held the top leadership role in Cuba's Communist Party and its earlier versions.

First secretaries of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba
No.		Took office	Left office	Tenure	Term	Birth	PM	Death
1	Pérez, José MiguelJosé Miguel Pérez	18 August 1925	31 August 1925	13 days	1st (1925–34)	1896	1925	1936
2	Vilaboa, José PeñaJosé Peña Vilaboa	September 1925	13 March 1927	193 days years	1st (1925–34)	1891	1925	1927
3	Valdés, JoaquínJoaquín Valdés	April 1927	?	? years	1st (1925–34)	?	1925	?
4	Vivó, JorgeJorge Vivó	29 March 1930	22 April 1934	4 years, 24 days	1st (1925–34)	1906	1927	1979
5	Roca, BlasBlas Roca	22 April 1934	24 June 1961	27 years, 2 days	2nd–? (1934–1961)	1908	1930	1987
6	Castro, FidelFidel Castro	26 July 1961	19 April 2011	49 years, 267 days	PROV–5th (1961–2011)	1926	1955	2016
7	Castro, RaúlRaúl Castro	19 April 2011	19 April 2021	10 years	6th–8th (2011–21)	1931	1953	Alive
8	Díaz-Canel, MiguelMiguel Díaz-Canel	19 April 2021	Incumbent	4 years, 128 days	8th–present (2021–present)	1960	1985	Alive

First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba facts for kids

Leaders of the Communist Party of Cuba

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